REQUESTING AN F-2 or J-2 DEPENDENT I-20

Dependents are defined by US immigration regulations as “spouse and/or children under 21 years old only.”  Dependents are not allowed to work to support the student, rather the student must show they have sufficient resources to cover their academic expenses as well as all living expenses for themselves and their family members. Dependents must apply for and acquire the F-2/J-2 visa using a dependent form I-20/DS-2019 prior to traveling to the U.S. The student may request dependent forms I-20/DS-2019 for their family members during their admission process so all can get their visa at the same time, or the student can request dependent forms I-20/DS-2019 after starting their program for family members to come later.

To request dependent forms I-20/DS-2019. Submit the Dependent Request Form along with the required evidence for each dependent requested: copy of passport biographical page, copy in English (official translation if needed) of the evidence of relationship (marriage certificate for spouse, birth certificate for child), financial support documents (certify $6000 additional funding for the first dependent, and $5000 for each subsequent dependent).

Notes:

The F-2 or J-2 visa status is directly linked to the F-1 or J-I principle. If the principle visa holder concludes their program or is terminated for some reason, the F-2/J-2 visa status also ends.

F-2 visa holders may not work. J-2 visa holders can file an I-765 for employment authorization, but must verify that their income is not required to support the J-1 student or spouse.

F-2 visa holders may study freely in grades K -12 in a U.S. school, but can only study part-time at the college/university level. They must change status to F-1 prior to studying full-time at the college/university level. 

J-2 visa holders may study at any level part-time or full-time.

If your spouse/children are US citizens or permanent residents of the US, they are not eligible for an I-20.